Means for lining tunnels or subterranean passages



, 2,269,418 MEANS FOR LINING TUNNEL-S 0R SUBTERRAREAN PASSAGES a 9 2- N. F. ANDERSON Filed June 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 N MNLQN Q 3 W QM MN m N MF/Ynderson WNNWN Jan. 6, 1942. N. F. ANDE'RsbN MEANS FOR LINING TUNNELS 0R SUBTERRANEAN PAS SAGES Filed June 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR LINING TUNNELS OR SUBTER-RANEAN PASSAGES Nelson F. Anderson, Los Angeles, Calif. Application June 16, 1938, Serial'No. 214,164

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and means for lining a tunnel or kindred subterranean passage, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide such a means and method wherein the bore as cut may be readily lined with cementitious material with the use of timbering eliminated.

The invention also has for an object to provide a means and method for lining a subterranean passage wherein only a single outer form is required and which form is intermittently advanced as the boring of the passage progresses together with the setting of the lining.

The invention has for a further object to provide a molding form structure for lining a subterranean passage which is adapted to be intermittently advanced as the boring of the passage progresses and wherein a bulk head is associated with the forward or entering end of the mold to prevent run or cave-ins of the ground.

' A still further object of. the invention is to provide an apparatus for lining a subterranean passage including an outer form and an inner form, the inner form being of a knock-down type.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved mold structure whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the samewith reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a molding apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and assembled at the portal of the tunnel bore or other subterranean passage;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of the forward or entering endportion of one of the members comprised in the outer wall of the form;

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of laggings as comprised in the inner mold wall unapplied;

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of one of the breast members as herein embodied;

Figure 7 is a view in elevation of a second form of breast board. I

As illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, F denotes a conventional face cut at the portal of a tunnel bore B or other subterranean passage. This bore in practice is to be cut in any manner preferred and as best suited to the particular operations. After the bore B has been initially extended within the hillside for a predetermined distance the mold for lining the bore 13 is set up.

The mold, as herein disclosed, comprisesan outermold well which embodies the use of a plurality of elongated flat members I of desired length but preferably of a length approximately thirty-six feet. These members I are arranged side by side with adjacent members I in close proximity. Each of the members I is provided along a longitudinal margin portion with an outstanding land strip 2, the strip of one member with.

I lapping a portion of. an adjacent member I whereby the dropping of earth between the applied members I is prevented and which is particularly desirable when the earth is of a sandy nature. The strip 2 as herein disclosed is welded to its member I although it is believed to be obvious that it may be otherwise secured thereto or, if preferred, may be integrally formed there- Each of the members I at substantially its transverse center is provided therealong and from end to end with an outstanding web or flange 3. This flange 3 enters the wall of the bore B as is particularly illustrated in'Figure 2. This penetration of the flange or web 3 within the wall of the bore to a considerable extent facilitates the intermittent advance of the mem-' bet I as the same is intermittently moved inwardly of the bore as said bore progresses.

The web or flange 3 also has the further particular advantage of assuring the member I pos- I sessing a maximum of strength to resist the pressure which may be imposed thereon during the molding operation or by settling of the earth upon the structure.

The forward end portions of the members I for a distance approximately one-third the length of the members I have extending inwardly therefrom the flanges or webs 4. It is to be particularly understood that a member I together with its associated web or flange 3, land one of the strip 2 and its web or flange 4 constitutes a unit.

It is to be further stated that each of such units is adapted to be handled or manipulated independently of the others. As herein disclosed, each of these webs or flanges 4 is provided along a longitudinal margin with a head 5 which is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the forward portion of the member I. The free longitudinal marginal portion of each of the webs or flanges 4 is provided therealong with an enlarged head 6 illustrated in the accompanying drawings as being circular in cross section although this configuration may be otherwise as desired. The forward end portion of each of the webs or flanges 4 is reduced in width from its free edge, as at I, to provide a forwardly extended part 8 terminating in an obliquely beveled portion 9. This beveled portion 9 extends a desired distance in advance of the adjacent end of the member I for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to.

In the initial assembly of my mold the members I are partially extended within the portal of the bore as illustrated in Figure l and said inserted portions of the members I are maintained in desired assembled relation by the bents I0. Each of the bents ID in the present embodiment of the invention is semi-circular in form on account of the fact that the type of bore as illustrated in the present embodiment of my invention is of a circular type. Of course, these bents It! may be otherwise formed in accordance with the cross sectional configuration of the bore.

The bents ID are disposed on such radii that when a pair of said bents is in assembled relation or one substantially vertically coplanar with the other, the heads 6 and the adjacent portions of the flanges 4 will be engaged Within the suitably formed recesses I I provided in the outstanding flanges I2 carried by the bents I0. It is to be noted that the outer portions of the recesses II are so restricted to permit the heads 6 to effectively retain or hold the bents thus assuring the maintenance of the members I in applied position within the bore- B and against the wall thereof. These bents II) are slid upon the heads 6 and flanges 4 from the outer ends of said flanges 4 and which application of the bents I0 is materially facilitated by the reduced portions 1 hereinbefore referred to. The adjacent extremities of the bents I0 are detachably coupled in any manner preferred but preferably through the medium of a fish plate I4 bolted, as at I5,

to the bents ID. The adjacent pairs of assembled bents ID are maintained in desired spaced relation through the medium of the connecting and spacing bars I6 herein disclosed as T-shaped in cross section and which are bolted, as at I1. or otherwise effectively secured to the bents I0. These bars I6 are of such number as can best be determined by the requirements of practice.

As is illustrated in Figure 1, upon the initial assembly of'the outer wall of the formas afforded by the members I the rear portions of such members I extend out beyond the face F. Within this outwardly extending portion of the outer wall of the form is erected the inner wall of the form for the cementitious lining. In this initial erection of the inner wall suitable blocks I8 are employed whereby the desired initial centering of the inner wall with respect to the outer wall is obtained.

The inner wall structure of the mold comprises in the present embodiment of the invention a plurality of circular members of requisite diameter and arranged side by side in desired spaced relation. Each of these circular members comprises a plurality of bents or arcuate portions I9 each of which, as herein disclosed, is of a T- formation with its stem flange 20 disposed toward the center of the bore B. Adjacent end portions of the flanges 20 are tied or coupled together in a conventional'manner by a tie plate 2I or otherwise as may be preferred. The outer marginal portions of the flanges 20 of the bents or members I9 are provided at desired points therealong with the cross plates 22 herein disclosed as extending beyond opposite sides of the flanges 20. These plates 22 have connected thereto, as at 23, by a bolt or otherwise as may be preferred, an end portion of a connecting and bracing rail 24. These rails 24 maintain the circular members in desired assembly. Interposed between the adjacent circular members are the laggings 25 of required dimensions and the extremities of which overlie the bents or members I9 as is clearly illustrated in Figure 1.

The majority of these laggings 25 are provided along their inner faces along the longitudinal centers thereof with an outstanding strengthening flange 26, the extremities of which are formed to provide the lugs 21 spaced from the lagging. These lugs 21 engage over the side marginal portions of the bents or members I9 whereby said laggings 25 are effectively held in place. The majority of these laggings 25 can be readily placed in applied or working position by slightly inclining the same with respect to the circular members but to facilitate the application of the remainder or the upper laggings 28, the flange 29 of each of such laggings is provided only at one extremity with an outstanding lug 30.

Figure 1 shows laggings applied from top to bottom of the tunnel wall. This, however, is only for the purpose of discloseure because in practice after the circular members as afforded by the bents I9 have been properly erected, the concrete is poured upon the lower portion of the outer wall until the desired thickness is obtained whereupon the lower laggings 25 are placed in position. As the cement wall rises additional laggings are applied until substantially the top of the bore is lined. At this time the laggings 28 are applied and the remaining cementitious lining is completed by throwing the material in from the front end.

During the period this initial pouring of the lining is setting the workmen will be extending the cut of the bore and after the bore has sufficiently progressed the workman advance the members I which can be readily done by crow bars or other instruments engaging within the suitably positioned openings 3| in the flange 4 associated with each of the members I.

In this advancing of the members I the flanges or webs 4 carried thereby will readily travel through the recesses II of the flanges I2 of the bents I0. After the members I have been advanced as desired, the bents ID are then shifted ahead as required. As the members I advance the inner wall structure is added to and the material poured. After the material first poured becomes sufficiently set the portions of the inner wall at the rear can be readily removed and carried forward to again be used.

As is well known, in the cutting of a bore in the making of a subterranean passage the cut is from the top down and it is also recognized that the earth will not flow down below an angle of fortyfive degrees. However, in the advancing of the bore it is important to provide means to prevent a run or cave-in of the earth at the breast of the bore. In thepresent invention this isprevented through the use of the breast boards 32 and 33. The breast board 32, as particularly illustrated in Figure 6, comprises two lapping sections .34. These sections 34 are selectively adjusted lengthwise one with respect to theother and are held in desiredfselective adjustment through theinstrumentality of a clamping element 35 directed through the registering'slots- 36 provided in the sections 34. The extremities of the board 32 are provided with the openings?! to receive the extended portions 9 ofthe members l whereby the board 32 is effectively held inide sired applied position. However, when it. comes to the upper portion of the bore it is required that a specially formed board 33 be provided. As illustrated in Figure 7 such board 33 at its extremities carries the hook members 38 which engage within the openings 39 provided in the forwardly extended parts 8 of the upper members I. It is to be particularly understood that the members i are independently shiftable one with respect to the other. This is of importance as under certain conditions it may be necessary that some of the members I be advanced further than the others and particularly when working in soft ground or to shut off a sand run. I

After the pouring of the lining at the portal of the bore it is not required, as the inner mold wall structure is advanced, to use blockings or any other material for maintaining said inner forward end portion of the outer mold wall, guide means joining the forward portions of the elongated members and the bents to slidably connect the elongated members to the bents and to maintainthe elongated members in a straight path when longitudinally shifted, a collapsible inner mold wallstructure within the rear portion of the outer mold wall, and means for supporting the inner mold wall in position in said rear portion of the outer mold wall.

3. An adjustable mold for forming a cementitious lining for a subterranean passage including an outer mold wall comprising a plurality of separate elongated members adapted to be arranged side by'side, bents positioned within the forward end portion of the outer mold wall, coacting means between the forward portions of the elongated members and the bents to slidably connect the elongated members to the bents and to maintain the elongated members in a straight path when longitudinally shifted, a collapsible inner mold wall structure Within the rear portion of the outer mold wall, means for.supporting the inner mold wall in position in said rear portion of the outer mold wall, a breast structure including a plurality of boards, and means for coupling the forward ends of the elongated members with the boards to maintain the boards in a set position.

4. An adjustable mold for forming a cementitious lining for a subterannean passage including a tubular outer mold wall comprising a plumold wall structure in proper position as the con- 7 nection of the sections of the inner wall structure as progressively applied will be held in position by those portions of the rear inner mold wall sections which are within the cementitious material.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a mold structure constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also-be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangementand formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. An adjustable mold for forming a cementitious lining for a subterranean passage including an outer mold wall having a cross-sectional form conforming to that of the passage comprising a plurality of elongated members arranged side by side with adjacent elongated members in close'proximity one to the other, a supporting structure for said elongated members within the outer mold wall at the forward portion thereof, an interlocking coupling between said supporting structure and the elongated members allowing said elongated members to be independently shifted lengthwise andguiding the elongated members in a straight line, an inner mold wall within the rear portion of the outer mold wall, and means for supporting said inner mold wall within the rear portion of the outer mold Wall.

2. An adjustable mold for forming a cementitious lining for a subterranean passage including an outer mold wall comprising a plurality of separate elongated members adapted to be arranged side by side, bents positioned within the rality of elongated members arranged side by side, said adjacent elongated members being in close proximity one to the other, a supporting structure for the elongated members positioned within the mold wall at the forward portion thereof, guide means joining each of the elongated members and the supporting structure for slidably coupling'the elongated member to the structure and for maintaining the elongated member in a straight path when'it is longitudinally shifted, each of said elongated members having means facilitating shifting the same, a collapsible inner mold wall within the rear portion of the outer mold wall, means for supporting said inner mold wall within the outer mold wall,

, gated members arranged side by side with adja cent members in close proximity, inwardly disposed flanges carried by the forward portions of said elongated members and extending inwardly from the elongated members, a supportingstructure within the forward portion of the outer mold wall, said structure comprising a plurality of bents, means for coupling adjacent end portions of the bents, each of the bents being provided therealong with an outstanding flange directed toward the mold wall, the outstanding flange of each bent being provided with spaced recesses in which are slidably received the flanges or certain of the elongated members comprised in the outer mold wall, a collapsible inner mold wall within the rear portion of the outer mold wall, and means for supporting the inner mold wall in position within the outer mold wall.

6. A mold for forming a cementitious lining for a subterranean passage including an outer mold wall, a collapsible inner mold structure within the rear portion of the outer mold wall, said inner mold structure comprising a plurality of supporting members spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the outer mold wall, the supporting members being of T-cross section and having the webs thereof directed inwardly and having the edges of the heads thereof in opposed relation, a plurality of separate laggings supported between the adjacent supporting members, and securing lugs carried by and extending longitudinally of the laggings at their ends for engagement across with said edges of the supporting members for securing the laggings in position on the supporting members.

7. A mold for forming a cementitious lining for a subterranean passage including an outer mold wall, a collapsible inner mold structure Within the rear portion of the outer mold Wall said inner mold structure comprising a plurality of supporting members spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the outer mold wall, a plurality of separate laggings supported-between the adjacent supporting members, each of said supporting members comprising a plurality of bents, means for connecting adjacent end portions of the bents, each of said bents being T-shaped in cross section to provide a head flange and a stem flange, inwardly disposed strengthening flanges carried by the laggings, said strengthening flanges having end lugs to underlie the head flanges of the bents for holding said laggings in place.

8. Apparatus for forming a cementitious lining for a subterranean passage including an outer mold wall having across sectional form corresponding to that of the passage and comprising a plurality of elongated members arranged in closely adjacent side by side relation, means within the forward end portion of the outer mold wall for maintaining the elongated members in assembled relation, a collapsible inner mold wall within the outer mold wall at the rear end portion of said outer mold wall, comprising frames spaced longitudinally of the passage and lagging members detachably connected between said frames and having spaced relation with the outer mold wall, said elongated members being spaced from but having sliding interlocking connection with said means, said sliding interlocking connection being so constructed and arranged that upon longitudinal forward movement of the elongated members, such elongated members will be forced to follow a straight path.

9. Apparatus for driving and lining a tunnel or similar passage, comprising an advance frame unit having a contour conforming to the cross section of the tunnel to be driven, a plurality oi elongated members extending axially of the tunnel across the outside of the frame unit, said elongated members having overlapping adjacent portions to provide a solid earth retaining outer mold wall, means forming a part of said frame unit providing guides extending lengthwise of the tunnel, means forming a part of each elongated member which is engaged in a guide for sliding movement therein, said guides and the means engaged therein maintaining said elongated members in a straight line in the tunnel, and an inner collapsible mold structure having spaced relation with the outer mold wall and disposed behind said frame unit.

10. Apparatus for driving and lining a tunnel or similar passage, comprising an advance frame unit having a contour conforming to the cross section of the tunnel to be driven, the frame unit including at least two members extending transversely of the tunnel'and spaced apart longitudinally of the tunnel, each of said members having an outer flange provided with transverse guide notches, a plurality of elongated members extending axially of the tunnel across the outer sides of the flanges of said first members, said elongated members forming on earth retaining outer mold wall, a web extending lengthwise of the inner side of each elongated member and having its inner free edge slidably engaged in two alined guide notches, said coupled webs and guide notches facilitating the maintenance of the elongated members in straight paths when advanced longitudinally in the tunnel, and a collapsible inner mold Wall structure disposed within the outer mold wall and in spaced relation therewith rearwardly of said frame unit.

11. Apparatus for driving and lining a tunnel or similar passage, comprising an advance frame unit having a contour conforming to the cross section of the tunnel to be driven, the frame unit including at least two members extending transversely of the tunnel and spaced apart longitudinally of the tunnel, each of said members having an outer flange provided with transverse guide notches, a plurality of elongated members extending axially of the tunnel across the outer sides of the flanges of said first members, said elongated members forming an earth retaining outer mold wall, a web extending lengthwise of the inner side of each elongated member and having its inner free edge slidably engaged in two alined guide notches, said coupled webs and guide notches facilitating the maintenance of the elongated members in straight paths when advanced longitudinally in the tunnel, a collapsible inner mold wall structure disposed within the outer mold wall and in spaced relation therewith rearwardly of said frame unit, said Webs having tapered inner end portions extending beyond the inner ends of the elongated members, and a breast structure at the inner end of the outer mold wall, comprising a plurality of boards, and means for establishing an interlockand the tapered ends of adjacent webs.

NELSON F. ANDERSON 

